Closure-fastening.



W. C. BALKE.

CLOSURE FASTENING. APPLICATION man SEPT. 13. 1915.

1,199,753. Patented Oct. 3,1916.

ll [2 g t WILLIAM C. BALKE, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

CLOSURE-FASTENING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 3, 1916.

Application filed September 13, 1915. Serial No. 50,439.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM C. BALKE, acitizen of the United States, residing at Louisville, in the county ofJefferson and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Closure- Fastenings, of which the following is aspecification. j

The primary purpose of the present invention is the provision of noveland unique fastening means for doors, covers and closures of everydescription whereby the same when in closed position may be made secureagainst opening from the outside.

IVhile the invention is particularly designed for securing covers ofcoal chutes and openings in vaults it is to be understood that the samemay be applied to closures of any kind associated with metal framesfitted into the opening to be protected or covered by construction andnovel arrangement and combination of parts which will be hereinafterfully described and particularly claimed.

In the accompanying drawings has been illustrated a simple and preferredform of the invention, it being however, understood that no limitationis necessarily made to the preceise structural details thereinexhibited, but that changes, alterations and modifications within thescope of the invention as claimed may be resorted towhen desired.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a central section of a closureand frame provided with fastening means embodying the invention; Fig. 2is a detail view of a portion of the closure as seen from the underside; Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the latch.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the samereference characters. H

In Figs. 1 and 2 the numeral 1 designates a lid, cover or closure and 2a frame therefor, the same being particularly designed for coal chutesor openings in Vaults and kindred underground structures. The frame 2may be of any of the usual styles provided with an outwardly extendinflange. This flange may be located at or near the upper edge of theframe, as indicated at 3, or may be disposed at or near the lower edgeof the frame,

as indicated at 4., The style'and construction of the frame areimmaterial within the purvlew of the invention which resides in thefastening means- A gravity latch has pivotal or rocking connection withthe closure 1 and is adapted to engage a stop of the frame 2. In thepreferable arrangement the type of closure 1 is provided with twogravity latches which have a diametric arrangement so as to engage theframe 2 at opposite points. A detail description ofone of the fasteningmeans will suflice for a clear understanding of both.

The frame 2 is formed with a lug 5 constituting a stop to be engaged bythe active end of the latch. The stop 5 is approximately of hook-shapeor overhanging form so as to make firm engagement with the en gagingportion of the latch which is like-' wise of hook-shape. The latchcomprises a shank 6, a hook'7, a cross head or lateral journals 8, anarm 9 and a lift-piece 10, the several parts being of integralformation. The cross head 8 is disposed at one end of the shank 6 andprojects laterally from both sides thereof to form the journals or axisabout which the latch turns. The hookshaped engaging end 7 is disposedat the opposite end of the shank and is arranged to engage thehook-shaped stop or overhanging lug 5. The arm 9 projects from the shankin anopposite direction to the hookshaped portion 7 and the lift-pieceor member 10 is arranged at the outer end of the arm 9 and at a slightinclination thereto. The lift-piece 10 and arm 9 being disposed to oneside of the shank act by gravitative action to hold the hook 7inengagement with the stop 5. The ends of the cross head 8 projectingbeyond the sides of the shank' 6 are made rounding to form journalsabout which the latch turns.

The closure 1 is formed at its outer edge with a depending rim 11 and atopposite points with recesses in which are fitted the latches. AU-shaped rib 12 is formed upon the inner or underside of the closure 1and incloses the space in which the latch is pivoted. The inner wall ofthe rib 12 is under out so as to retain a filling 13 in place. The 7seated on the flange 11 between the wings and the rib 12. The shank ofthe latch extends between the Wings 1 1. The filling 13 preferablyconsists of lead or like readily fusible metal which is poured into thespace after the latch has been placed in position,

thereby preventing displacement of the latch and holding the same inplace. When pouring the filling into the recess the closure 1 is placedin horizontal position with the side having the flange or rim 11 andribs 12 uppermost. After the latches have been placed in position in therecesses with the ends of the cross head 8 beneath'the wings let thespaces inclosed by the ribs 12 are filled by pouring the molten metaltherein.

The frame 2 will generally occupy a.

latches is moved upward, thereby effecting disengagement of the hookedend of such latch from the stopf). The remaining latch willautomatically disengage itself from the stops, as will be readilyunderstood.

When the latches pivot freely the closure may be dropped into positionand the latches will automatically engage the stops '5. However, when itis desired to release the closure it is necessary to manipulate one ormore of the latches from below, hence the closure may not be released orremoved from above. In the event of the clo'sure'be- 'ing'provided withan opening, as 15, for 'f the introduction of a pry to assistmateriallyin removing the cover, a guard 16 is located opposite such opening onthe under side of the cover to prevent release of the latches by theintroduction of a rod or other device through the opening 15.

While the invention is intended chiefly for coal chutes itv is equallyadapted for cellar doors. 7 When the closure occupies an approximatelyvertical position it is usually necessary to operateboth latches whenWhen the securing or releasing the door.

7 closure is arranged in horizontal position it Copies of this patentmay be obtained for may be released by manipulating one of the latchesonly and pushing upward upon one side of the door, the latch upon theopposite side automatically releasing to admit of removal of the door.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. Thecombination of a closure having a seat on its inner side and wings infront of the said seat, a frame having an overhanging lug adapted toproject in advance of said seat, a latch adapted to rock on the saidseat and engage said lug, said'latch being provided with lateraljournals engaging behind the said wings and having a lift member at itsfree end extending away from the overhanging lug on the frame, and meansto retain the latch in operative connection with the closure. Y

2. A closure having a U-shaped rib on its inner side, wings on theclosure in front of said rib,'a frame having a lug. thereon arranged toproject in advance of the rib on the closure, a latch having lateraljournals to engage behind the wings and under the rib on the closure,said latch being adapted at its free end to engage the lug on the frameand having a curved arm extending from said free end adapted to fit overthe rib on the closure when thelatch is released and further providedwith a lifting member projecting away from the said arm.

3. In combination with a member formed with arecess, a latch pivotallymounted in the recess, and a filling between the side of the recess andpivotal portion of the latch for holding the latch in position.

4.. In combination with a member formed with a recess and havinginwardly extending wings at opposite sides of the recess, a latch havingpivotal journals engaging under the wings of the recess,.and a fillingfor retaining the latch in position. i V

5. In combination with a member having a recess, the walls of which areundercut and having opposed wings at opposite sides of the recess, alatch formed with opposed journals entering the recess and engagingunder the said wings, and a filling for the recess engaging the latchand retain ing the same in place.

In testimony whereof I aiiix "my signature. n V

' f WILLIAM C. BALKE. [L.S.]

five cents each, by addressing the flmnniis si oner of Patents,Washington, D. G.

